Thanksgiving 2006

Some thoughts from Scripture & my reflection on them as Thanksgiving winds down about giving THANKS to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

"For the Lord thy God will bring thee into a good land, of brooks and of waters, and of fountains: in the plains of which and the hills deep rivers break out: A land of wheat, and barley, and vineyards, wherein fig trees and pomegranates, and oliveyards grow: a land of oil and honey. Where without any want thou shalt eat thy bread, and enjoy abundance of all things: where the stones are iron, and out of its hills are dug mines of brass: That when thou hast eaten, and art full, thou mayst bless the Lord thy God for the excellent land which he hath given thee. Take heed, and beware lest at any time thou forget the Lord thy God, and neglect his commandments and judgments and ceremonies, which I command thee this day: Lest after thou hast eaten and art filled, hast built goodly houses, and dwelt in them, And shalt have herds of oxen and flocks of sheep, and plenty of gold and of silver, and of all things, Thy heart be lifted up, and thou remember not the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: And was thy leader in the great and terrible wilderness, wherein there was the serpent burning with his breath, and the scorpion and the dipsas, and no waters at all: who brought forth streams out of the hardest rock, And fed thee in the wilderness with manna which thy fathers knew not. And after he had afflicted and proved thee, at the last he had mercy on thee, Lest thou shouldst say in thy heart: My own might, and the strength of my own hand have achieved all these things for me. But remember the Lord thy God, that he hath given thee strength, that he might fulfil his covenant, concerning which he swore to thy fathers, as this present day showeth." Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Although this was a promise that was made to the Israelites it could just as easily be seen as applying to us. The description fits our land just as it fit the Promised Land for the Hebrew people. That is why the Church provides this as 1 f the options for the OT reading for the votive Mass for Thanksgiving in the USA. Isn't is esp needed today for us to remember that it is God who has placed us here & blessed our land with abundance. Our country is a land populated mostly by immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came here seeking a better place to live. America was a land of hope, a land who's streets were paved with gold. The gold wasn't literally in the streets. But, just like the Israelites lived as God called them & were then blessed by God, the same is true of those who came to America. God blessed the work of their hands.

"The earth hath yielded her fruit. May God, our God bless us, May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him." Psalm 67:7-8 (D-R 66)

"Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name: For the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation." Psalm 100 (D-R 99)

These 2 readings tell us what our attitude should be towards God for all our blessings. In the end all that we have is a blessing from God. & we should have an attitude of humble thanks & praise, acknowledging God as the source of all our blessings.

"And Jesus said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness: for a man's life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns and will build greater: and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thy rest: eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee. And whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God." Luke 12:15-21

This reading is 1 of the Gospel options the Catholic Church provides for Thanksgiving. This has also been 1 of my favorite parables since I was a child. It reminds us of the attitude we should have towards all that we have been blessed with. Are the goods our treasure, or is the giver of these goods our true treasure. Are we storing up goods so that we don't have to depend on God? Are we storing up what we don't need rather than helping the "least of our brethren"?

Finally, I would like to share my favorite Psalm with you. It lists all the blessings that God bestows on us if we will receive them. they are not merely physical blessing, they also include the spiritual blessings He desires to bestow upon us. Esp the greatest blessing of all, salvation. This is why we are to bless God, giving Him the praise & thanksgiving He alone is due.

"Bless Yahweh, my soul, from the depths of my being, his holy name; bless Yahweh, my soul, never forget all his acts of kindness. He forgives all your offences, cures all your diseases, he redeems your life from the abyss, crowns you with faithful love and tenderness; he contents you with good things all your life, renews your youth like an eagle's. Yahweh acts with uprightness, with justice to all who are oppressed; he revealed to Moses his ways, his great deeds to the children of Israel. Yahweh is tenderness and pity, slow to anger and rich in faithful love; his indignation does not last for ever, nor his resentment remain for all time; he does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor repay us as befits our offences. As the height of heaven above earth, so strong is his faithful love for those who fear him. As the distance of east from west, so far from us does he put our faults. As tenderly as a father treats his children, so Yahweh treats those who fear him; he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust. As for a human person*his days are like grass, he blooms like the wild flowers; as soon as the wind blows he is gone, never to be seen there again. But Yahweh's faithful love for those who fear him is from eternity and for ever; and his saving justice to their children's children; as long as they keep his covenant, and carefully obey his precepts. Yahweh has fixed his throne in heaven, his sovereign power rules over all. Bless Yahweh, all his angels, mighty warriors who fulfil his commands, attentive to the sound of his words. Bless Yahweh, all his armies, servants who fulfil his wishes. Bless Yahweh, all his works, in every place where he rules. Bless Yahweh, my soul. " Psalm 103